Hour Photo/Alex von Kleydorff.Westports Anthony LoFrisco Jr. starts his 1947 Cadillac Series 62 at the sound of Reville at 12 noon with all the entrants on the show field. The car, given to him by his father was one of three Anthony Sr collected over the years. A 1954 MG TF to his son Frank and a 1936 Ford Phaeton to his other son Thomas, with Anthony Jr getting this Cadillac.

Hour Photo/Alex von Kleydorff.Westports Anthony LoFrisco Jr. starts his 1947 Cadillac Series 62 at the sound of Reville at 12 noon with all the entrants on the show field. The car, given to him by his father

WESTPORT -- Thousands of spirited car enthusiasts crowded the polo field at the Fairfield County Hunt Club on Sunday for the 8th annual Concours d'Elegance.

The weekend show, which featured scores of vintage cars and motorcycles, drew roughly 8,000 people from around the tri-state area, making it the largest turnout in the event's history, according to Susie Shuck, whose husband, John, co-founded the event along with Westport native Bill Scheffler.

The Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance began eight years ago on the Westport green with 80 cars and a teeming crowd of about 800.

Today, the event draws thousands of people, and features an impressive array of rare autos, in addition to raising money for St. Vincent's Behavior Health Services, which provides support services for children and adolescents with developmental and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

"What we have done is concentrate on making this a family event," Susie Schuck said. "We've also tried to make this show less exclusive and open it to people who may not be auto enthusiasts."

Sunday's main event featured a memorabilia and automobile auction, as well as a handful of special exhibits, which included Formula 1 Racing cars, Chrysler Hemi-powered vehicles, E-Type Jaguars, wood-trimmed classics and pre-war preservation vehicles.

Schuck said the variety of vehicles sets apart the Concours d'Elegance from other area car shows.

"We won't let a car re-show for three years," she said.

"That makes it very interesting for the spectators. They can see something different every year."

Making an appearance at the show was Chuck Schoendorf who stood alongside a ready-to-restore 1952 Cunningham C-3, which the Rowayton resident recovered from a rustic barn in Madison.

"The car had been sitting idle for more than 20 years," he said.

Schoendorf said restoration would take years and could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"My main concern is making it a running, reliable and durable car," he said.

"Then we can begin to look at what we want to do cosmetically."

Frank Wismer, pastor of Christ Episcopal Church in East Norwalk, also appeared at the show with his wife Pat. Dressed in old-fashioned, pre-depression era outfits, the couple stood alongside their exceptionally unique 1921 Brewster -- one of only 30 in existence.

Wismer said the Concours d'Elegance is a local show with local ties, which makes the event all the more enjoyable.